Weapon Stats:

V3E A-Darter

Status:In Development

Category:Air-to-Air

Description:

The Kentron A-Darter (V3E Agile Darter), a fifth-generation missile system, is currently in the development phase. It was in 2006 being jointly funded by South Africa and Brazil. In September 2006, BAE Systems announced Denel had selected its SiIMU®02 solid-state inertial measurement unit to provide mid-course guidance for the A-Darter.

The A-Darter, expected to become the V3E upon entry into SAAF service.

The missile incorporates a high-agility airframe, greatly improved manoeuvrability and an extended range. An imaging IR seeker ensures excellent countermeasure rejection and very accurate terminal guidance. Capabilities include lock-on after launch and memory tracking. Designation may be via the aircraft's radar, a helmet sight or the missiles autonomous scan feature if radar silence is required. Long-range intercepts, beyond IR detection range, are possible using the lock-on after launch mode.

Use is made of thrust-vectoring tail controls. It has also been reported that targeting algorithms include advanced spatial filtering techniques (that 'see' the difference in size and shape between an aircraft and a decoy) and velocity profiling (to sense the difference in speed between the target and a decoy).

Initial airframe firing tests have been undertaken from ground and air platforms. A-Darter will be integrated on the Gripen.